Cutting Banyan Tree Roots

We have a banyan tree growing in our garden close to our building. We are being prevented from cutting the roots by environmentalists. However, we are told that if we don't cut them, they could interfere with the foundations of our building and can encourage rat and snake holes. Is this true?

For the foundation, trees normally will not bother a foundation until they have nowhere else to go. If the roots of the tree are crowded by other foundations, then it might start to push on yours. You can think of it like a potted houseplant. As long as the roots have room to grow elsewhere, they will not push on the sides of the pot. But once it has no room for its roots, it has no choice but to push. I cannot speak to specifically if your tree has enough room or not for its roots. You would need a tree specialist there to determine that.

For the rats and snakes, yes this is possible as the roots will provide safe places for them to live. But, if you are able to make sure that other elements that would make the tree roots look like good homes are removed, the chances of rats and snakes moving in are much less. Making sure that there is not a ready food source (open trash cans, compost bins, etc) and attracting predators to the yard (like a pet mouser cat) will help keep them away.